Peninsular Plateau - Classification and Significant Features

The Peninsular plateau is a flat elevated land mass composed of crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It originated from the fragmentation and movement of the Gondwana continent, making it the Earth's most ancient landmass. Important geographical features of this region include tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, exposed rocky formations, sequences of undulating hills, and sturdy wall-like quartzite dykes. These features contribute to the creation of natural reservoirs for water storage in the area.

• The Peninsular plateau is a flat elevated expanse composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. 
• It formed due to the fragmentation and movement of the Gondwana continent, making it one of the Earth's oldest landmasses. 
• The plateau features expansive yet shallow valleys and rounded hills. It is divided into two main sections: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
• The Central Highlands encompass the parts of the Peninsular plateau situated north of the Narmada river, including a significant portion of the Malwa plateau. 
• The plateau's general elevation increases from west to east, following the direction of river flow. 
• The Peninsular plateau has undergone cycles of uplift and submergence, accompanied by crustal faulting and fractures. 
• These geological processes have contributed to the plateau's diverse relief, marked by spatial variations.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PENINSULAR PLATEAU

• The Peninsular Plateau takes on a roughly triangular shape, with its base aligning with the southern boundary of the vast plains in North India, and Kanyakumari marks its apex. Covering a total area of approximately 1.6 million square kilometres (half of India's total land area of 3.2 million sq km), the plateau exhibits an average elevation ranging from 600 to 900 metres above sea level, varying across different regions.
• Most of the peninsular rivers flow from west to east, reflecting the overall slope of the peninsula. 
• However, the Narmada and Tapti rivers stand out as exceptions, flowing from east to west in a rift formed by diverging borders. 
• Renowned as one of the oldest landforms globally, the Peninsular Plateau is a stable block primarily composed of Archaean gneisses and schists.
• Remaining relatively unchanged since its formation, the plateau acts as a stable shield with minimal structural alterations. 
• Unlike many regions, the Peninsular Plateau has maintained its land status for hundreds of millions of years and has never been submerged beneath the sea, except in isolated areas. 
• Composing various smaller plateaus and hill ranges intricately connected by river basins and valleys, the Peninsular Plateau showcases a rich and diverse topography.

PENINSULAR PLATEAU COMPRISES OF

Central Highlands

• The Central Highlands, also known as Madhya Bharat Pathar, lie to the east of the Marwar or Mewar Upland. 
• The plateau, dominated by the Chambal river basin, features tributaries such as Kali Sindh, Banas, Parwan, and Parbati. 
• Characterized by a sloping terrain with rounded sandstone hills and thick woodlands, the region is bordered by the Chambal river's ravines to the north.

Marwar Plateau

• Located in eastern Rajasthan, the Marwar Plateau is the counterpart to the Marwar plain. With elevations ranging from 250 to 500 meters above sea level, the plateau is composed of Vindhyan period sandstone, shales, and limestones. 
• The Banas River and its tributaries, originating in the Aravali Range, contribute to the plateau's erosional activity, creating a rolling plain appearance.

Bundelkhand Plateau

• The Bundelkhand Plateau is enclosed by the Yamuna River in the north, Madhya Bharat Pathar in the west, Vindhyan Scarplands in the east and southeast, and the Malwa Plateau in the south. 
• This ancient dissected upland, composed of Bundelkhand gneiss, exhibits an average height of 300-600 metres. 
• Granite and gneiss hillocks define the region, sculpted by the erosional effects of rivers, rendering it unsuitable for farming.

Malwa Plateau

• Forming a triangle centred on the Vindhya Hills, the Malwa Plateau features drainage towards both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. 
• Comprising vast lava flows and black soils, the plateau slopes northward with an undulating hilly landscape. 
• The Chambal and its tributaries, including the Kali, Sindh, and Parbati, play a significant role in shaping the northern region.

Baghelkhand Plateau

• Situated north of the Maikal Range, Baghelkhand features limestone and sandstone in the west, transitioning to granite in the east. 
• The Son River surrounds its northern boundary, acting as a water divide between the Son and Mahanadi river systems. 
• With uneven terrain and elevations ranging from 150 to 1,200 meters, the region displays a notable horizontality of strata.

Chotanagpur Plateau

• Extending as the northeastern protrusion of the Indian Peninsula, the Chotanagpur Plateau covers Jharkhand, northern Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal's Purulia region. 
• Dominated by Gondwana rocks, the plateau exhibits a radial drainage system with rivers like Damodar, Subarnarekha, North Koel, South Koel, and Barkar forming extensive drainage basins. 
• Renowned for Gondwana coal fields, the plateau features various hills and plateaus.

Meghalaya Plateau

• Stretching eastward beyond the Rajmahal Hills, the Meghalaya Plateau is divided into the Garo Hills, Khasi-Jaintia Hills, and Mikir Hills. 
• Separated by the Garo-Rajmahal Gap, the plateau showcases Archaean quartzites, shales, and schists. 
• Descending north to the Brahmaputra river and south to the Surma and Meghna valleys, the plateau exhibits diverse elevations.

Deccan Plateau

• Encompassing approximately 500,000 square kilometers, the Deccan Plateau forms a triangular shape delimited by the Satpura, Vindhya, Mahadev, Maikal, Western Ghats, and Eastern Ghats. 
• With an average elevation of 600 meters, the plateau slopes west to east. Fragmented by rivers, the plateau includes the Maharashtra Plateau, Karnataka Plateau, and Telangana Plateau.

Maharashtra Plateau

• Situated in the northern section of the Deccan Plateau, the Maharashtra Plateau features basaltic lava rocks, giving it a rolling plain appearance. 
• The basins of the Godavari, Bhima, and Krishna rivers are flanked by flat-topped steep-sided hills. 
• Covered with regur, a black cotton soil, the plateau is marked by typical Deccan Trap topography.

Karnataka Plateau

• Known as the Mysore plateau, the Karnataka Plateau lies south of the Maharashtra plateau. Exhibiting undulating terrain with an average elevation of 600-900 metres, the plateau is crisscrossed by rivers flowing from the Western Ghats. 
• The region includes two sections: Malnad with deep valleys and Maidan with an undulating plain and granite hills.

Telangana Plateau

• Composed of Archaean gneisses, the Telangana Plateau has an average elevation of 500-600 meters, with the southern section higher than the northern section. 
• Drained by the Godavari, Krishna, and Penneru rivers, the plateau features two sections: the Ghats and the Peneplains, characterized by a vast, undulating plain.

Chhattisgarh Plain

• The Chhattisgarh plain lies within the saucer-shaped valley drained by the upper Mahanadi. 
• Positioned between the Maikala Range and the Odisha hills, the region, known for its limestone and shale composition, exhibits an overall elevation ranging from 250 meters in the east to 330 meters in the west.

RIVERS IN PENINSULAR PLATEAU

India's peninsular rivers, including the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada, and Tapti (Tapi), play a vital role in draining a significant portion of rural India. Beyond their geographical significance, these rivers hold immense religious and cultural importance in the lives of the Indian people.

Cauvery River

Also known as the Kaveri River, the Cauvery is a sacred river in Hinduism. Originating from Talakaveri in Karnataka's Kodagu District, in the Western Ghats Mountain Range, the river flows from the south Deccan hills to the southeast lowlands.

Godavari River

Often referred to as the Dakshin Ganga, the Godavari is South India's longest and largest river. Originating in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, it holds the distinction of being India's second-longest river, following the Ganga. The Godavari ultimately flows into the Bay of Bengal.

Mahanadi River

The Mahanadi River, a significant watercourse in Eastern India, traverses a length of about 900 kilometres. It flows through states such as Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and Jharkhand, contributing to the region's agricultural and cultural landscape.

Krishna River

The Krishna River, sometimes known as Krishnaveni, is a major river in South India. It courses through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, impacting the agricultural practices and livelihoods of the regions it touches.

Narmada River

Renowned for its scenic beauty, the Narmada River is one of Western India's most prominent rivers. Originating from the Amarkantak Hill, the river, also known as Rewa, enriches the landscapes through which it flows.

Tapti (Tapi) River

The Tapti River, a significant watercourse in peninsular India, originates in the East Satpura Mountain Ranges in Madhya Pradesh. As it meanders through the landscape, the Tapti River contributes to the region's ecological and cultural dynamics.

Geological and Topographical Features of the Peninsular Plateau

The Peninsular plateau, shaped by complex geological processes, exhibits diverse relief patterns and valuable mineral resources, contributing significantly to India's landscape and economy.

Uplift and Submergence:

The Peninsular plateau has undergone recurring cycles of uplift and submergence, accompanied by crustal faulting and fractures. These geological phenomena have played a pivotal role in shaping the plateau's topography.

Diverse Relief:

The spatial changes in the plateau have resulted in a diverse relief. The northern region features a complicated terrain characterized by ravines and gorges, with notable examples including the Chambal, Bhind, and Morena ravines.

Abundant Mineral Resources:

The plateau is rich in mineral resources, including massive reserves of iron, manganese, copper, bauxite, chromium, mica, gold, and other minerals. Notably, 98% of India's Gondwana coal resources are concentrated in the Peninsular Plateau.

Variety of Geological Formations:

Slate, shale, sandstones, marbles, and other geological formations contribute to the diverse landscape of the plateau, reflecting its geological history.

Fertile Black Lava Soil:

The northwestern plateau is covered with fertile black lava soil, ideal for cultivation, particularly for crops like cotton. This region plays a crucial role in India's agricultural output.

Ideal Conditions for Plantation Crops:

Some hilly areas in the southern part of the plateau provide ideal conditions for growing plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber, and others, contributing to the country's plantation industry.

Agricultural Diversity:

Some low-lying regions of the plateau support rice cultivation, showcasing the agricultural diversity facilitated by the varied topography and soil types.

Forest CRich over:

The highlands of the plateau are covered with diverse forests, offering a wide range of forest products. These forests contribute to the ecological balance and provide livelihoods for local communities.

Hydroelectric Potential:

Rivers originating in the Western Ghats, part of the Peninsular plateau, provide excellent opportunities for hydroelectricity generation and irrigation, supporting agricultural practices across the region.

Hill Resorts and Tourism:

The plateau is renowned for its picturesque hill resorts, attracting tourists and offering destinations such as Udagamandalam (Ooty), Pachmarhi, Kodaikanal, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala, Matheron, and Mount Abu. These locations contribute to the tourism industry and provide recreational opportunities for visitors.

FAQs about the Peninsular Plateau, Its Features, and Rivers

1. What is the Peninsular Plateau, and how did it form?

Ans. The Peninsular Plateau is a flat elevated land mass composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It originated from the fragmentation and movement of the Gondwana continent, making it one of the Earth's oldest landmasses.

2. What are the key geographical features of the Peninsular Plateau?

Ans. The plateau features tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, exposed rocky formations, sequences of undulating hills, and sturdy wall-like quartzite dykes. These features contribute to the creation of natural reservoirs for water storage in the area.

3. How is the Peninsular Plateau divided?

Ans. The Peninsular Plateau is divided into two main sections: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.

4. What are the Central Highlands?

Ans. The Central Highlands encompass the parts of the Peninsular plateau situated north of the Narmada river, including a significant portion of the Malwa plateau. The plateau's general elevation increases from west to east, following the direction of river flow.

5. What are the geological and topographical characteristics of the Peninsular Plateau?

Ans. The plateau has undergone cycles of uplift and submergence, resulting in diverse relief. It features ravines, gorges, abundant mineral resources, fertile black lava soil, ideal conditions for plantation crops, agricultural diversity, rich forest cover, hydroelectric potential, and renowned hill resorts.

6. How is the Peninsular Plateau's relief in the northern region described?

Ans. The northern region features a complicated terrain with ravines and gorges. Notable examples include the ravines of Chambal, Bhind, and Morena.

7. What mineral resources are found in the Peninsular Plateau?

Ans. The plateau boasts massive reserves of iron, manganese, copper, bauxite, chromium, mica, gold, and other minerals. It holds 98% of India's Gondwana coal resources.

8. How do rivers contribute to the Peninsular Plateau's landscape?

Ans. Rivers originating in the Western Ghats provide opportunities for hydroelectricity generation and irrigation. The plateau is renowned for its hill resorts, attracting tourists.

9. What are the main rivers in the Peninsular Plateau?

Ans. The prominent rivers include Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada, and Tapti. These rivers hold religious, cultural, and geographical significance.

10. How do monsoons affect the rivers in the Peninsular Plateau?

Ans. The rivers heavily rely on rainfall for sustenance, and their discharge is reduced during the summer. Monsoons play a critical role in replenishing these rivers, ensuring their continued importance for agriculture and ecosystems.

11. Are there specific regions for agriculture on the plateau?

Ans. Yes, the plateau exhibits regions with fertile black lava soil, ideal for crops like cotton. Low-lying areas support rice cultivation, and hilly regions are suitable for plantation crops.

12. What is the significance of the Peninsular Plateau's forests?

Ans. The highlands are covered with diverse forests, providing a wide range of forest products and contributing to the ecological balance.